it every night for so long.
Tonight had been no exception.
She stood beside the fire, staring after him, wondering if she lacked some vital feminine attraction.
With a sigh, she dropped down into Rayven's favorite chair. He had left his cloak draped across the back, and she drew it into her lap, idly stroking the fine velvet. How alive it seemed as she spread it over her legs. Of its own accord, it seemed to press against her, warming her. Soothing her.
Suddenly weary, she closed her eyes, felt herself swept away into a world of darkness.
Her hands clutched the smooth velvet as disjointed scenes filled her mind - she saw Rayven walking along a dark dusty path, his cloak floating behind him like ink splashed against the darkness of the night; she saw a dark gray mist surround a drunken man, heard the man's faint cry of terror, and over all hung a mist of darkness and the scent of blood; she saw a sleek black wolf standing over the carcass of a deer, heard a long, lonely howl echo in her ears...
She woke with a start, her brow damp with perspiration, her heart pounding wildly in her breast.
Tossing the cloak to the floor, she scrambled to her feet and ran out of the room.
Dallon Montroy came calling late the following afternoon. Bevins showed him to the front parlor, his face a mask of disapproval as Rhianna made the man welcome.
"Bevins, will you please bring us some tea," Rhianna requested, "and a few scones, perhaps?"
"As you wish," Bevins replied. He fixed her with another disproving stare, then left the room.
"And now, my lord," Rhianna exclaimed softly, "what brings you to Castle Rayven?"
"You, of course," Montroy said. "Why else would anyone make such an arduous journey."
"Not arduous, surely?" Rhianna teased.
"I would have climbed a mountain twice as high to see you smile again," Dallon replied gallantly.
"Indeed?" Rhianna mused. "And would you have crossed crocodile-infested waters, as well?"
"To be sure." His smile faded as he took her hands in his. "Why have you come back here, Rhianna?" he asked, his tone and expression grave. "Did Rayven force you? Threaten you in some manner?"
"Of course not. I'm here because I choose to be here."
"I don't understand."
"It's quite simple, really. Lord Rayven said he would grant me anything I asked for, and I asked to live here. He's letting me stay for a year."
Montroy stared at her as if she were speaking in a language he couldn't quite understand. "You asked to stay here? With him? But why?"
"I'm afraid I can't explain it."
Montroy raked a hand through his hair, thinking that, if he lived to be a hundred, he would never understand the workings of the female mind. "Well, I wish you'd try!"
Rhianna shook her head. "I can't." She studied him a moment, then frowned. "Why are you so distressed? I thought you were his friend."
"Rayven has no friends."
"Why ever not?"
"Because he wishes for none. He is a solitary man."
"You play cards together at Cotyer's."
Montroy nodded. "True enough, but he keeps us all at arm's length, and allows no familiarity. He's never accepted any invitations extended to him, nor offered any in return."
"I find that passing strange."
"As do I, I assure you."
Montroy released her hands as Bevins entered the room bearing a silver tea tray.
Back stiff, Bevins placed the tray on a low table, fixed Rhianna with a warning glance, and left the room.
Taking a seat, Rhianna poured tea for Montroy, then herself.
After a moment, Montroy sat in the chair across from hers. "I'm afraid it will be most difficult, courting you here."
Rhianna added milk and sugar to both cups, then handed one to Montroy. "You intend to court me, my lord?"
"I thought you had guessed that by now."
"But... I mean..." Rhianna shook her head. "Surely you intend to marry a lady of quality."
"I do, indeed." He smiled at her, the dimple in his cheek deepening. He had every intention of marrying Rhianna, and he would tell her so, when the time was right. "May I call upon you again?"
"Dallon, you must know that there can be nothing between us but friendship. I love Rayven."
Montroy nodded, convinced that he could win her heart if given the chance.
Rhianna hesitated, wondering if Rayven would object, and then she put such concern aside. He was never about during the day. Why should he care what she did? He had made it quite clear he had no interest in her, that he intended to send her away when the year